2011 JWC Final: Where are they now?

June 15, 2017
17411
Ultimate Rugby

As the Baby Blacks and England U20's entered the 2011 IRB Junior World Cup final, it was difficult to see how England head coach Rob Hunter could prevent the Baby Blacks securing their 20th successive victory on the bounce.

The Baby Blacks dominated all that stood before them on their way to the final with a notable 37-7 victory over a talented Australia side in the semi-final.

England boasted some star names in their squad that have subsequently gone on to achieve great things in game including Owen Farrell, George Ford, Elliott Daly and Christian Wade to name a few.

There were key match-ups all over the field, notably in the centre as Lima Sopoaga and Francis Saili faced off against Owen Farrell and Elliott Daly.

Francis Saili was in scintillating form throughout the championship, having scored four tries in as many matches.

New Zealand were heavy favourites in Padua, Italy. England took an early lead through Wasps wing Christian Wade, who went on to double his tally in the second half.

However, the class of the Baby Blacks shone through as a late try by the 2016 World Rugby Player of the Year, Beauden Barrett, secured victory. Wales out-half Gareth Anscombe kicked 7/7 in the final for NZ, while Pro 12 2016/17 Players' Player of the Year Charles Piutau also notched a try in the final.

Here is how the 2011 IRB Junior World Cup winners lined up in the final & where they are now.

1. Solomona Sakalia - Went on to represent the Chiefs in 2013 SR & now playing Mitre 10 Cup for Bay of Plenty.
2. Codie Taylor - The speedy hooker has won 15 caps for AB's & made 47 SR apps for Crusaders. Member of 2015 RWC winning squad.
3. Ben Tameifuna - Played for the Chiefs before making a move to Racing 92 in TOP14. Now a Tongan international prop.
4. Steven Luatua - Made his AB's debut in 2013 - won 10 caps. Played over 60 times for Blues in SR. Agreed to join Bristol for 17/18 season.
5. Brodie Rettalick - 60 AB's caps. 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year. Over 80 SR caps for the Chiefs. 2015 RWC winner.
6. Brad Shields - Super Rugby winner in 2016 with Hurricanes. Has played over 80 games for the Wellington franchise.
7. Sam Cane - Super Rugby debut at 18. SR winner in 2011 with Chiefs. 2015 RWC winner. 40 caps for All Blacks.
8. Luke Whitelock (C) - Played over 70 SR games for Crusaders & Highlanders. Capped by the AB's. Recently defeated the B&I Lions with 'Landers.

9. TJ Perenara - 90+ SR caps for Hurricanes. 2016 SR winner. 29 caps, 7 tries for AB's. 2015 RWC winner.
10. Gareth Anscombe - 37 SR caps for Blues & Chiefs. 43 caps for Cardiff Blues. 9 Wales caps. Qualifies for Wales through his mother.
11. Charles Piutau - 17 caps for AB's. 41 SR caps for Blues. 2017 PRO12 PPOTY. Currently with Ulster after a season with Wasps.
12. Lima Sopoaga - 6 AB caps. 65 SR appearances. 2015 SR winner with Highlanders.
13. Francis Saili - 2 caps for AB's. 42 apps for Blues. 40 apps for Munster. Currently out of contract.
14. Mitchell Scott - 3 caps for Western Force in 2015. Played ITM for Tasman & Otago.
15. Beauden Barrett - 49 Test caps, 12 tries for AB. 2016 SR winner with Hurricanes. 2016 World POTY. 2015 RWC winner. GOAT.

10 out of the 15 starters have been capped by the All Blacks. A quite remarkable group of players. The Class of 2011 will certainly be remembered for decades to come.

16 Sefo Setefano Waikato
17 Michael Kainga Wellington - Played for Chiefs & Hurricanes. SR winner in 2016.
18 Dominic Bird Canterbury - Played over 40 SR games for Crusaders & Chiefs. Twice capped by AB's.
19 Carl Axtens Bay of Plenty - Plays for Toulouse in French TOP 14.
20 Brad Weber Otago - Played over 40 SR games for Chiefs. Capped by AB's in 2015 v Samoa.
21 Rhys Llewellyn Canterbury -
22 Waisake Naholo Taranaki - Capped 12 times by AB scoring 6 tries. Played 37 games for Highlanders scoring 30 tries.